Alpine Turn Builders Blue
Skier Profile
Any skier that is skiing comfortably on Blue terrain either in a Stem Christy, Wedge Christy or Open Parallel turn. In a Stem Christy turn, the turn will initiate thru a stem up the hill setting the uphill ski on a high edge and then standing against it; and then, somewhere in the turn the skis will match either by speed or active inside leg guidance. In the Wedge Christy, the turn is initiated by the release of the downhill ski’s edge, and match either by speed or active inside leg guidance. The open parallel skier, the turn initiation is a release of the downhill edge(s) all the while the skis are in a parallel configuration. The skis will maintain this parallel configuration for the duration of the turn. The term “Christy” means to become parallel.
Skills to be developed
Balancing movements: Fairly tall stance with equal flex in the ankle, knees, hips and spine.
Rotary Movements: Varying turn shapes increases or decreases with the intensity of the turning of the legs against a stable upper body.
Edge Control movements: For the Stem Christy skier, the displacement of the uphill ski to create a higher edge angle than the downhill ski, thus allowing the uphill ski to overcome the force of the downhill ski. For the wedge Christy skier, the release of the downhill ski’s edge to allow the C.O.M. to move in the direction of the new turn. For the parallel skier, explore different edge angles through the skiing various pitched slopes.
Pressure-control movements: Flexion/extension movements of legs facilitate edge change and move body forward and diagonal to move with the path of the skis.
Goals & Outcomes
Independent leg action that will allow the student to perform a stem Christy turn. This type of turn is an effective turn when a person is needs to get their skis around quickly in a very tight corridor (ie. a couloir). The wedge Christy skier will work on steering of the inside leg so that the skis will eventually be in a parallel configuration from start to finish. And the open parallel skier will explore varying edge angles to see the relationship in how this affects ski performance.